The sunshine has certainly been influencing the wildlife sightings here over the last few days with insects and reptiles competing with the birds for the 'star of show' award.
Take a wander down the heathland zig zags scanning the sandy areas for green tiger beetles and the path-side logs for basking common lizards.
Pause by black pond and listen to the clash of dragonfly wings as dozens of four-spotted chasers patrol the dark waters and each try to control the best perch. Daintier damselflies are also in abundance. Since we extended the pond system, I've been hoping that we might begin to see hobby hunting on the heath and on Saturday a hobby was spotted taking full advantage of the plentiful supply of dragonflies, catching at least two.
Now I am a big fan of dragonflies - they are fast, fierce and beautiful - but even I cannot begrudge the hobby taking a few. This agile falcon can swoop them up and eat all the juicy bits whilst on the wing discarding the brittle dragonfly wings to flutter down in its wake.
Continue on through black wood, keeping your eyes and ears open for lizards (they rustle distinctively in the undergrowth). Our first spotted flycatcher of the year was sighted in black wood over the weekend. Also look for marsh tit and great spotted woodpecker (there are several broods of noisy woodpecker chicks around the woodland and heathland trail).
In the evening, nightjars have been churring on the heath - there seem to be 3 males displaying. We have a guided walk tomorrow night (Wednesday 11 June) but if you want to find them for yourself the best place to stand in on he south side of the tumuli (also known as 'the clump') where there are several benches looking down the slope and towards the South Downs. You'll have to wait until quite late - between 9.30 and 10.30 pm - but look and listen out for these mysterious birds and you could well be rewarded. Bear in mind that you will also be providing a feast for the local midges and you might want to wear insect repellent.
On the wetland trail the recent sunshine has provided a little more mud on the pool edges - several little ringed plovers have been taking advantage of this. Around the hedgerows and scrub there is plenty of activity - nightingales and warblers are still singing and they can also be seen foraging for food to feed their young. Garden warbler, willow warbler, blackcap and whitethroat can all be seen and heard around the trail. It is still a little soggy walking along the public footpath and across to the river bank, but if you have the right footwear, a walk across to the river bank could be rewarding and offer the best chance of sedge warbler, reed warbler and cuckoo.
Around the meadows and flower-rich field margins you could see small tortoiseshells, large skippers and common blues among other butterflies. Brightly coloured cinnabar moths can also be seen searching for ragwort plants on which to lay their eggs - expect a profusion of yellow and black striped caterpillars in the weeks to come.
First sighting this morning - a red kite - not a bad start!